Egyptian media reported Thursday that the government is preparing to deem the
Muslim Brotherhood “a terrorist organization,” as pro-Morsi organizations sent
out a call for protests to be held over the weekend.

The Egyptian
El-Watan newspaper, which tends to support the military and oppose the Muslim
Brotherhood, reported that interim Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi discussed in
a closed meeting with a number of ministers a detailed directive that declares
the Brotherhood a terrorist organization.

The government blames the
organization for violence and terrorism that has taken place since Mohamed Morsi
was removed from power on July 3.

Meanwhile, the pro-Morsi alliance, the
Pro-Legitimacy and Anti-Coup Coalition called on Thursday for renewed protests
this weekend, according to Ahram Online.

Since Morsi was ousted as
president, many protests have been held all over the country, with many leading
to violent clashes with government security forces.

The protest expected
for Friday is in memory of killed protesters and the protest on Saturday is to
show solidarity with 21 female protesters who were sentenced to prison, 14 of
them drawing an 11 year sentence.

On Monday, the head lawyer for the
women was also arrested by police.

Also on Thursday, Egypt ordered three
prominent political activists to stand trial on protest-related charges,
judicial officials said, in another sign of growing intolerance of
dissent.

One of them, leading dissident Ahmed Maher, was charged with
protesting without permission, marking the first time anyone had been ordered to
stand trial under the provisions of a new law criticized for stifling the right
to protest.

Founder of the April 6 movement that helped ignite the 2011
uprising against former president Hosni Mubarak, Maher was also charged with
assaulting police and “resisting the authorities.”Reuters contributed to
this report.